Global Forum on Environment: Promoting Sustainable Materials Management through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

The OECD is pleased to announce the upcoming Global Forum on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), co-organised with and hosted by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan as a three-day multi-stakeholder dialogue, with participants from OECD and partner countries, to be held in Tokyo, Japan (17-19 June 2014).

Taxing Wages: Country note for Japan

The average worker in Japan faced a tax burden on labour income (tax wedge) of 31.6% in 2013 compared with the OECD average of 35.9%. Japan was ranked 23 of the 34 OECD member countries in this respect.

Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, in Japan, 6-10 April 2014

Mr. Angel Gurría was in Japan from 6 to 10 April 2014 to commemorate the country’s 50th anniversary of membership of the Organisation. The OECD Secretary-General was received in Audience by Crown Prince Naruhito, and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Abe, to whom he presented the report “OECD Better Policies Japan - Advancing the Third Arrow for a Resilient Economy and Inclusive Growth”.

Japan 50th Anniversary Symposium (Opening remarks)

50 years ago Tokyo was just emerging on the global stage as a world class city, as host of the 1964 Olympics. This was the same year that Japan joined the OECD. At this time, Japan was a nascent industrial power. Today, Japan is one of the largest economies in the world, with GDP per head of around $50,000 and close to $1 trillion of exports of goods and services, said Angel Gurría.

Related Documents

• Japan 50th Anniversary Symposium
• Mr. Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, in Japan, 6-10 April 2014

From growing inequalities to inclusive growth

OECD analysis shows that income inequality has been on the rise in most OECD countries since the 1980s, which often means growing exclusion in the labour market, lower intergenerational social mobility, and greater polarisation in educational and health outcomes.

Japan: Advancing the third arrow for a resilient economy and inclusive growth

After two decades of low growth and persistent deflation, Japan is showing signs of renewed economic dynamism. But to regain its primacy as a leading economic powerhouse and raise the well-being of its citizens, Japan needs a structural reform package to narrow the productivity gap with leading OECD countries, notably by increasing the labour participation of women and older citizens.

Also Available

Japan - OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators

Analysis for Japan from OECD trade facilitation indicators that identify areas where countries can improve border procedures, reduce trade costs, boost trade flows and reap greater benefits from international trade.

Friends of the OECD’ Parliamentary Group Launch

Japan’s contribution to the work of the OECD over the past half century, has been remarkable: you are one of our most active members – a benchmark for other member countries with respect to the development and implementation of well-designed policies and best practices. The creation of this Group is yet another example Japan’s commitment to making the OECD a lynchpin of global policy dialogue and increasing its impact, said Angel Gurría

Celebrating Japan’s 50th Anniversary - Press conference of OECD Secretary-General, in Tokyo

Firstly, and most importantly, this year marks Japan’s golden jubilee: 50 years as a member of the OECD. Japan was our first Asia-Pacific member country, and has paved the way to strengthen the OECD’s ties within the region. This year, for the second time, Japan is chairing our Ministerial Council Meeting – the most important annual decision-making event of the Organization, said Angel Gurría.

Enhancing Global Nuclear Safety

Nuclear energy provides society with a secure supply of low-carbon, baseload electricity that enables our economies to function. But of course, safety must be the first priority, without exception. Following Fukushima, international efforts have focused on enhancing nuclear safety to enable our economies to continue enjoying the electricity that nuclear power can provide, said OECD Secretary-General in Japan.